Astronomers at work

Where do new astronomy graduates work? How much do they earn? How satisfied are they with their jobs? In the US for 2010, 2011, and 2012, an average of 328 bachelor’s degrees, 35 terminal master’s, and 156 PhDs in astronomy were awarded annually. A new survey checks in on them. Where do new astronomy graduates work? How much do they earn? How satisfied are they with their jobs? In the US for 2010, 2011, and 2012, an average of 328 bachelor’s degrees, 35 terminal master’s, and 156 PhDs in astronomy were awarded annually. A new survey checks in on them.

New astronomy bachelors were split closely between entering the workforce and starting graduate studies. Of those who took jobs, some 39% worked in colleges and universities and took home a median salary of $36 000. Most of them were at the institution they had graduated from and did not intend their position to be long term. Another 38% entered the private sector, where half worked in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics areas. They earned a median salary of $50 000. The other half worked in fields from food to finance.

About three-quarters of astronomy PhDs accepted postdoctoral positions. Academic and government postdocs were paid median salaries of $54 000 and $60 000, respectively.

More details can be found in a new report by the Statistical Research Center at the American Institute of Physics. See Astronomy Degree Recipients Initial Employment at http://www.aip.org/statistics/astronomy .